[February 13, 2024, St. Paul, MN]  Minnetonka Middle School East Team 1 won the Minnesota statewide Middle School Science Bowl on February 10, competing against 18 other teams from eight middle schools. The event was organized by the Minnesota Academy of Science (MAS) and was held at Minnetonka Middle School East. In April, Minnetonka Middle School East’s team will compete in the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C., representing Minnesota. 

Minnetonka Middle School East’s winning team consists of Yan-Ru Cao, Alex Ren, Addison Shi, Evan Truong, and Siyuan (Sam) Wu, and is coached by Sandra Le, Yan Pan, and Walter Truong. Wayzata West Middle School Team 1 came in second place and Minnetonka Middle School West Team 1 came in third place. Wayzata Central Team 2 won the Civility Award. See full competition results at mnmas.org.  

“Building on the Minnetonka Middle School East team success from last year, our team put in an immense amount of time and effort in growing academically and strategically. Weekly meetings within our after-school Math and Science Club and several hours each weekend grinding practice questions and solidifying concepts since the fall has truly paid off.  Each team member exhibited such focus, passion, and skill during their run to the Science Bowl State Championship,” said Yan Pan, one of Minnetonka Middle School East’s Science Bowl coaches. “Minnetonka Middle School East is honored to represent Minnesota once again at Nationals this spring in Washington DC.”

Science Bowl enables students to increase their science and math knowledge while also strengthening their teamwork skills. The tournament runs in a fast-paced, Q&A format where teams of students race to buzz in with their answers to science and math questions, and then work collaboratively to solve follow-up problems. Each team plays multiple games in a round robin tournament, competing to advance to a double-elimination tournament that culminates in the championship. 

Founded in 1873, the MAS is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for Minnesotans of all backgrounds to engage in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning, inquiry, research, and networking. MAS sponsors STEM education programs and events for students in elementary school through college. 

MAS coordinates the annual, statewide Middle School Science Bowl with the help of more than 60 volunteers and with generous support from sponsoring organizations including the Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement / Americorps Volunteer Generation Fund, Minnesota Department of Education, Ecolab, St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation, Hardenbergh Foundation, and H.B. Fuller.

The eight middle schools participating in the 2024 Minnesota Statewide Science Bowl are: Eden Prairie Central Middle School, Minnetonka Middle School East, Minnetonka Middle School West, Parnassus Preparatory School, Rosemount Middle School, Wayzata Central Middle School, Wayzata East Middle School, and Wayzata West Middle School.